The Croatian coastline, along with its islands, ranks among the most intricately indented coastlines in the world. Of 1244 islands, islets, cliffs and reefs that have remained following the dramatic rise in the level of the Adriatic Sea around 13000 years B.C., today only 50 are inhabited. This wealth of islands and islets attracts adventurous travellers from all over the world. Many island towns please the senses with their beautiful architecture and atmosphere, by their monuments dating from Antiquity, works of art in stone, wood, on canvas and on ancient parchments. The Adriatic lighthouses – those signposts of stone and guardians of the sea – are mostly automated, only about 15 of them still being manned.